'What a campaign!'; Scenic Alappuzha in London's iconic double-decker bus leaves social media in awe

Thursday 02 May, 2024 | 5:45 PM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People, walking down the cobblestone footpaths of England were left confused on Monday seeing their local bus adorned in a picturesque poster; a departure from the iconic red colour. It was only after capturing the awe-struck reactions from fellow Indian immigrants and after a detailed enquiry that the locals understood the legend behind the picturesque place.

The poster on the bus had an addendum written on the bottom side of the bus, which read as — ‘God's own Country’.

Yes! This was a refreshing advertising attempt from the government of Kerala to popularize the bucolic scenery of the southern Indian state, so as to bring dividends through tourism. Double-decker buses decorated with the most beautiful scenes of Kerala can now be seen on London roads.

The videos of these buses have now gone super viral on social media, especially on Instagram. The logo of Kerala Tourism can also be seen on the bus. The hashtag '#TravelForGood' is also written on one side. The poster in the bus carries in full the essential greenery of the Kerala district of Alappuzha.

After the video went viral, many people heaped praises on the Kerala Tourism Department. Many suggested this move to bear fruit and said it was a welcome change from the usually tried ‘run of the mill’ advertising attempts. Kerala’s tourism minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas has also shared the viral video on his social media page.

The minister then amicably engaged with the netizens and asked them to comment on new innovative ways to boost Kerala's tourism in foreign countries.

Back in 2018, the Kerala government worked ways to advertise the tourism of the state by running a unique campaign that saw five double-decker buses in London carrying posters of the tranquil backwaters of Alappuzha.